Story 1 : "The Thirteenth Night". Seki turns up at her parents' house in the dead of night, where she breaks down and says she cannot continue to live with her husband, a rich man to whom ... See full summary »

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In 1865, Timothee, a wanderer, arrives in a village in southern France pretending he is deaf and mute. There, he is struck by the beauty of a young woman, Josephine, and asks for ... See full summary »

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In pre-colonial times a peddler crossing the savanna discovers a child lying unconscious in the bush. When the boy comes to, he is mute and cannot explain who he is. The peddler leaves him ... See full summary »

Storyline

Story 1 : "The Thirteenth Night". Seki turns up at her parents' house in the dead of night, where she breaks down and says she cannot continue to live with her husband, a rich man to whom the family is indebted. After a tearful and long discussion, they convince her to return. On the way home, the rickshaw driver turns out to be an old school friend, and they reminisce about the old days. .... Story 2 : "The Last Day Of The Year". Mine is a hard-working maid in the house of a miserly, slave-driving old woman who is burdened by a wastrel son, who pesters the old woman and her new husband for money to pay off gambling debts. Mine's uncle is her only surviving relative, and the man who raised her, who is very ill and needs money to repay a loanshark. Mine promises to borrow the money from her employer but, although the old woman initially agrees, she breaks that promise on the due date, New Year's Eve. Can honest Mine resist the temptation to steal ? ..... Story 3: "An Inlet of Muddy ... Written by
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User Reviews

The first story starts very slowly. Almost nothing happens in the first five minutes. But stick with it. After this initial lull, the proceedings slowly but inexorably draw you in and they don't let go.

This is a movie that really stays with you after the finish. At just over two hours, with three entirely unrelated stories, it felt too short, and I would have been happy to watch at least one more hour. And I'm at somewhat of a loss to explain just what is so good about it.

Higuchi Ichiyo is one of Japan's foremost writers, and these three stories cover her main theme of the suffering of ordinary women. Certainly the writing and scripting are faultless. The feelings of the women in these stories have their feelings and actions explained simply and clearly, yet with great depth and complexity. And although tending to feverish melodrama at times, the actresses give top-notch performances, while the actors mostly play with admirable restraint and refinement.

Much of the action occurs at night, and the stark black-and-white cinematography underlines whatever emotion and feeling is appropriate for each scene.

Despite the apparent slowness and even naiveté of some sections, there are surprises in store as well. Overall, memorable and highly recommended.

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